(no subject)
I've been trying and trying to think of what to say. I'm told it should come straight from the heart. Maybe my heart hurts too much to get it out but I just can't find the words to eulogize Drake.
He was a child prodigy on the guitar. He was a 16 year old punk who was heavily influenced by the R&B he listened to. He could handle any type of music, though, and make it his own, make it rock. He had the ability to not only wail but to do play his guitar behind his head and never miss a note.
As a Raider, he and Mike Holliday created the dance steps that endure to this day. When Doc quit the band, Phil stepped up and was so in sync with his friend that they earned the nickname of The Twins.
Phil and Drake never lost that link, either. Many years later at the 97 Reunion then at the 98 Hayward Zuke Fest, they fell into step with each other never missing a beat, without even giving each other a cue. It was awesome to watch them together, side by side in perfect unison.
After he left the Raiders, he had a brief solo career and released a beautiful song called "On The Road To Mexico". Only a thousand copies of the record were printed so if you have one, you have a rarity.
In the last few years, Drake had many health setbacks. However, he never let them stop him from playing music. I watched him struggle to regain his skill after having a stroke. It must have been hard for him to play knowing he wasn't up to his usual level of skill, perfectionist that he was, but over time, his playing improved until he was once again earning well deserved applause after a particularly blistering solo. He never gave up, never quit, always strived to be the best he could.
For several years, he played with The Curtis Lawson Band. They released a CD, "Live at The Saloon" which features some of Drake's incredible solos. More recently, they were working on a studio CD and I'm hoping that it will be released some day.
For some reason, I find it very hard to put my own feelings into words. Drake meant the world to me. His music and watching him play helped me through some hard times. I have so many special memories from all the years of gigs, Zuke Fests and being around him. Linda Lawson once teased "He spoils you!" and I guess that was true, he was good to me. How lucky I was; how lucky I am.
Drake was very ill these last few months yet, up to the end, he was determined to beat this. He never EVER gave up. Call it stubborn if you want, but if you asked Drake he would say "persistant". Whatever it was, it was part of who he was and what he truly was was special. How blessed I was to call him my friend.
He was a child prodigy on the guitar. He was a 16 year old punk who was heavily influenced by the R&B he listened to. He could handle any type of music, though, and make it his own, make it rock. He had the ability to not only wail but to do play his guitar behind his head and never miss a note.
As a Raider, he and Mike Holliday created the dance steps that endure to this day. When Doc quit the band, Phil stepped up and was so in sync with his friend that they earned the nickname of The Twins.
Phil and Drake never lost that link, either. Many years later at the 97 Reunion then at the 98 Hayward Zuke Fest, they fell into step with each other never missing a beat, without even giving each other a cue. It was awesome to watch them together, side by side in perfect unison.
After he left the Raiders, he had a brief solo career and released a beautiful song called "On The Road To Mexico". Only a thousand copies of the record were printed so if you have one, you have a rarity.
In the last few years, Drake had many health setbacks. However, he never let them stop him from playing music. I watched him struggle to regain his skill after having a stroke. It must have been hard for him to play knowing he wasn't up to his usual level of skill, perfectionist that he was, but over time, his playing improved until he was once again earning well deserved applause after a particularly blistering solo. He never gave up, never quit, always strived to be the best he could.
For several years, he played with The Curtis Lawson Band. They released a CD, "Live at The Saloon" which features some of Drake's incredible solos. More recently, they were working on a studio CD and I'm hoping that it will be released some day.
For some reason, I find it very hard to put my own feelings into words. Drake meant the world to me. His music and watching him play helped me through some hard times. I have so many special memories from all the years of gigs, Zuke Fests and being around him. Linda Lawson once teased "He spoils you!" and I guess that was true, he was good to me. How lucky I was; how lucky I am.
Drake was very ill these last few months yet, up to the end, he was determined to beat this. He never EVER gave up. Call it stubborn if you want, but if you asked Drake he would say "persistant". Whatever it was, it was part of who he was and what he truly was was special. How blessed I was to call him my friend.